In this Issue:

Daniel Lee for Cook County Commissioner of the 15^th District

Midterm Voter Apathy Works to the Democrats’ Advantage

Early Voting Begins October 19, 2026

Daniel Lee for Cook County Commissioner of the 15^th Dist.

If you are familiar with STRO, you know Daniel Lee. He has been a faithful volunteer and supporter of STRO for many years, working to help other conservatives win their races. Daniel even assembled a crew to provide all the food for our STRO picnic, saving us $2,000. He’s a family man, a small business owner, and commissioner in the Economic Development Commission & Plan Commission for the Village of Hoffman Estates.

Daniel is an unapologetic conservative and has pledged to fight for accountability and transparency when he becomes Commissioner of the 15th District.

The Cook County Board oversees a budget of $10.12 billion. It sets policy and laws for the county, including property rights and taxes, public health services, maintenance of county highways, and public safety (including police and correctional facilities).

Of the 17 commissioners, only one is a Republican (Sean Morrison-17th). The presence of sixteen Democrats on the board creates an echo chamber where meaningful debate is rare. Daniel Lee is running for the seat being vacated by Kevin Morrison-15th (D).

Daniel is not running to advance his own political prospects. “I'm running because I believe the people of suburban Cook County deserve someone who will walk into that boardroom asking a very different question: How does this help the people I represent? Not, which political organization wants this? Not, which special interest group is demanding it? Not, whose political career does this advance?”

County taxpayers are constantly told government needs more money. Higher taxes force families and small businesses to scale back. Property taxes rise, the cost of living goes up, and inflation outpaces wage increases. Those who can—leave. Outward migration has reduced the tax base and placed a greater tax burden on families and businesses who remain. It doesn’t have to be this way.

To illustrate the need for budget scrutiny, Cook County received over $1 billion from the American Rescue Plan to support immediate recovery from the effects of COVID-19 and to support long-term transformative initiatives. This one-time resource was spread across 79 initiatives, and funding is projected to be depleted by 2031.  Programs that survive will then become reliant on long-term county funding.

One of these initiatives is the Climate Resiliency Plan for Local Communities. The County’s Department of Environment and Sustainability (DES) identified five environmental justice communities that need staff or funding to provide green infrastructure, tree planting, and job training. Who determines if this project justifies the expense?

Daniel believes that performance metrics are critical to determining which programs will survive. He asks, “What results has it produced? How many residents were served? What is the cost per beneficiary, and what is the long-term funding source? These questions need to be asked before a temporary program becomes a long-term expense.”

Daniel’s goal is to bring accountability and oversight to Cook County finances so that ineffective programs are eliminated and resources are redirected to programs with essential, proven benefits to the community. Such scrutiny does not exist in an echo chamber.

Check out Daniel Lee’s website at Citizens for Daniel Lee and follow him on Facebook. Daniel Lee has written a book which reminds us of the American Dream and a sincere Call to Action for the Young American. You can order it here The Nation I Chose: Made in Korea, Forged in Liberty by Lee, Daniel J.

Join the Call to Action and vote for Daniel Lee in this midterm election, November 3, 2026. This is a turnout election and your participation is critical.

Midterm Voter Apathy Works to the Democrats’ Advantage

Maybe you’re sick of Democrat politics dominating Illinois. Maybe you’ve asked yourself, why should I bother? I’ve voted in the past for Republicans, only to be disappointed by another Democrat victory. “I give up.” Well, that’s the problem. You gave up. 

Pritzker has been Illinois’ governor since 2018, Michelle Mussman has been in the Illinois House since 2012, Fred Crespo has been in the House since 2007, Laura Murphy has been your Illinois senator since 2015. Dick Durbin has been around forever, and Tammy Duckworth has been around since 2016. Why?

Republican voters show up for the presidential cycle but ditch the midterms. Republican losses are the result of voter apathy.

There are plenty of Republicans in Illinois, or independents who lean conservative, who don’t engage in midterm elections. They only pay attention when the national news focuses on the presidency. That’s why President Trump held a Midterm Convention and said, “Pretend I’m on the ballot and vote in this midterm.”

In 2022, 4.1 million ballots were cast in the Illinois midterm election, even though Illinois had 8.1 million registered voters. The apathy was so prevalent that even the Illinois State Board of Elections noted it was the fourth lowest turnout for a midterm election in 40 years. Voter apathy worked to the Democrats’ advantage.

Zoran Mamdani won the NYC mayoral contest with 50.4% of the vote, when only 42% of eligible voters turned out. Typically, 60% of NYC voters turn out for a presidential cycle. Voter apathy worked to the Democrats’ advantage again.

What makes this election hyper important is that the Democrat Socialists of America are on the ballot. Even if your Democrat representative is not officially registered as a DSA member, they most likely agree with DSA proposals, like an end to immigrant detention and deportation and free college tuition. Democrats, like Michelle Mussman, will continue to vote with the Democrat majority 95% of the time, regardless of what they’re proposing. Michelle Mussman - Illinois | MyRepTracker

If Republicans and independent conservatives don’t show up to vote, the Democrats will take over the U.S. House and Senate and beleaguer President Trump with constant impeachment attempts. Illinois will continue to decline in jobs and population. Voting is your responsibility as an American citizen. Don’t leave it to someone else.

Early Voting Begins October 19, 2026

Here are the key deadlines for voting in the Gubernatorial Election of 2026.

1. October 6, 2026 Voter Registration Deadline by Mail, Fax or email attachment

Under federal law, citizens may apply to register to vote by mailing in an application. Mail or deliver this application to your County Clerk or Board of Election Commissioners no later than 28 days before November 3, 2026. Here is the form ivr-app-en_2026_online.pdf

1. October 18, 2026 Voter Registration Deadline Online

Online registration deadline is 16 days before Election Day. Please confirm schedule adjustments with your local election office. Voter Registration in Cook County.

1. October 19, 2026 Early voting begins

First day for early voting at these locations early-voting-sites---11.03.26.pdf These polling places are to be open on holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays as well as weekdays.

1. November 2, 2026 Early voting ends

Last day for early voting at permanent locations designated by the election authority.

1. November 3, 2026 Election Day Voter Registration Deadline

Qualified individuals may register to vote at their polling place on Election Day. “Grace period registration” is from the 27th day prior to the election through Election Day. 10 ILCS 5/5-50. Polling Place Lookup

Permanent Vote-By-Mail Information

Go to this website to sign up for Permanent Vote by Mail. Cook County Clerk – Permanent Vote by Mail

Returning your Vote-By-Mail Ballot

Please read these instructions carefully. important-vbm-change-11-2026_0.pdf